Switch for suspended electric conductors.



No. 655,2I6. Patented Aug. 7, I900.

J. FLOYD.

SWITCH FOR SUSPENDED ELECTRIC CDNDUCTDRS.

(Application filed Dec. 8, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN FLOYD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

SWITCH FOR SUSPENDED ELECTRIC CONDUC'TORS.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Letters Patent No. 655,216, dated August 7, 1900.

V Application filed December 8,1899. Serial No.739,666. (No model.)

To will whom' it may concern.-

of the United States of America, residing at Washington,in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches for Suspended Electric Conductors, of which the following is a speci fication.

One object of this invention is to providea switch .for suspended electric conductors which will prevent the trolley-wheel from jumping in making turns and crossings regardless of the curves or of the speed of the car, thus avoiding accidents to the main conductor and rendering the trolley-rope of no use except when reversing.

Another object of this invention is, that it makes a continuous circuit certain and will work accurately at all times, either when it is hot or cold or when the car is at its highest or lowest speed, always maintaining its shape and position.

A still further object of this invention is that its cost of manufacture and maintenance is greatly in its favor as regards other devices, for it is exceedingly cheap and simple in its construction, reliable and convenient in use, it does not require a skilled operator to place it in position, and it will efficiently points of novelty of which will be designated in the appended claims.

Before proceeding further into a detailed description of the several auxiliary features of my invention I desire to here distinctly state and emphasize the fact that although I have shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specific description certain component and cooperating parts which I deem sufficiently improved and operative to carry out the fundamental principles herein incorporated, however I do not confine myself. to the exact details of construction so illustrated and described, since obvious departures may be made without deviating from the inherent and generic features constituting the gist thereof.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of the main and branching conductors united by my improved switch. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig.

'3 is an inverted plan view. Fig. 4 is a modification.

Referring by letters to the drawings, A represents the main conductor, and B the branching conductor, adapted'to be connected by my improved switch.

The switch is comprised of a single piece of wire formed substantially in the shape of a Y, bent upward at the point C, thence in a curve similar to that of a balloon, the ends D and E being bent or branching from the point B in an oblique position with respect to the stem of the Y. At the top or center of the curve I form each of the ends with a twist G, which strengthens the structure and increases the stiffness.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified form of my invention, which consists of a similar structure, merely dispensing with the twist G. This form is employed when a stifi heavy wire, such as the 00, so commonly known, is used. 1

It will thus be readily seen that there is an upwardly-extending space between the ends of the Y which will "permit the ready passage of the flanges on the trolley-wheel in any direction either when running on the main or branch conductor.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A switch for electric conductors, comprising a single piece of wire,having arms extending integral therewith, of the wire bent upwardly in a loop, the-arms-having a twist in thecenter of the loop and extending obliquely, substantially as shown and described.

2. A switch for electric conductors, comrisin a sin "le iece of wire formed substan- P s s tially in the shape of a Y, saidwire bent upwardly in a curve similar to that of a balloon, its ends being bent oblique with respect to the stem of the Y, of a twist in the center of the curve, substantially as shown and described.

3. A switch for electric conductors, comprising a single piece of wire, having arms extending integral therewith and flaring 0b-.

liquely therefrom, a, portion of the wire and substantially ass-hown and for the- "purpose arms bent upwardly in a loop, and having a; set forth.

' as shown and. described.

' e 1e twist in the center of said 100p, substantially In'testimony whereof I have hereuntoset my hand this 5th day of December, 1899.

4. A switch for electric conductors, com.- JOHN FLOYD. prising a single piece of wire, bent upwardly Witnesses and provided"with integral arms. flaring ob; L H r A. T.- COUMBE,

liqnely therefrom, each arm forming a' loop, RUDOLPH B. SCHWIOKARDI. 

